While U Slept. Big 5 Stories Breaking Overnight. June 4, 2010

June 4, 2010

JAPAN ELECTS NEW PRIME MINISTER, KAN PROMISES REBUILDING EFFORTFinance minister Naoto Kan becomes Japan’s fifth different prime minister in four years, beating out rival Shinji Tarutoko in a vote among the MPs of the country’s ruling Democratic Party. Kan promises a reinvigorated effort to “rebuild” a country facing economic stagnation, skyrocketing public debt, and pockets of political instability. (The Guardian)

AUTOPSY RESULTS SHOW NINE MEN ABOARD GAZA-BOUND BOAT SHOT, FIVE IN THE HEAD Autopsies conducted by forensic experts in Turkey reveal that nine of the men aboard the Gaza aid boat stormed by Israeli commandoes were killed by gunfire, and five were shot directly in the head. One dual Turkish-American 19-year old citizen was reportedly shot several times in both his body and his head. Experts are hopeful the results can shed light on how the violence escalated earlier this week. (CNN)

TURKEY THREATENS TO CUT TIES WITH ISRAEL TO A MINIMUM After nine Turkish nationals were killed in a raid on a boat carrying aid to Gaza earlier this week, Turkey says it is considering severely cutting ties with its once close Israeli allies. Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc assures, however, that ties would not be completely severed, saying, “to say we have crossed you out of our address book, is not the custom of our state.” (Reuters)

APARTMENT FIRE IN BANGLADESH LEAVES OVER 100 DEAD A vicious blaze in a Dhaka apartment complex kills at least 114 residents. Experts believe the fire began after an electrical transformer exploded late Thursday night. Rescue workers continue to search for survivors, in what is being described as Dhaka’s worst fire in nearly 40 years. (TimesOnline)NORTH KOREA PROMISES ‘TOUGH RETALIATION’ TO UN ACTION North Korea promises retaliation if its leaders are brought before a UN Security Council, following the recent sinking of a South Korean warship believed to have been orchestrated by Pyongyang. As Seoul seeks international condemnation of the incident, North Korea accuses Western allies of having an “ulterior motive” in proposing multilateral action. (AFP)